News

Long Beach area food banks say supplies are steady -- but you can still help

By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer

Posted:
11/17/2012 06:13:58 PM PST

Updated:
11/17/2012 06:14:46 PM PST

John Knapp, executive director at the Foodbank of Southern California, says business is good in Long Beach and surrounding areas. The local food bank takes in about 40 million pounds of food per year that is distributed at no cost to about 785 local agencies. (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)

LONG BEACH -- While other areas report struggles, demand for food in the Long Beach area appears to have leveled off and agencies say they are keeping pace with needs.

John Knapp, executive director of the Foodbank of Southern California in Long Beach, said supplies at local food distributors are meeting demand.

In the Long Beach area, Knapp's organization delivers 40 million pounds of food annually to about 785 agencies.

Food Finders in Signal Hill, which serves the greater Long Beach area, has also seen a leveling of supply and need.

"We've done really well this year," said Diana Lara, vice president of operations at Food Finders in Signal Hill.

"A couple of years ago the calls (for service) were nonstop," Lara said.

Joe Branch, left, Troy Gilyard and Carlos Coates load up a truck with onions and other food for the St. Phillips Lutheran Church in Compton where 170 to 200 families will receive the food. Coates has been getting the food and distributing it for 20 years and says, "It's more rewarding than anything else I've ever done." (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)

"It has leveled off slightly. There were times (two years ago) when there was just desperation, and I'm not hearing that this year."

However, Knapp, who believes claims of dramatic drops of food supplies may be overblown, is quick to admit that food banks and the agencies they serve don't reach 60 percent of the people who are in need, and that the need for food is ever-present.

But, thanks to steady supplies from donors and government agencies, the foodbank is able to supply all of its agencies with food.

That's particularly true during the holidays when there is a glut of giving. But Knapp said there is year-round need that is often forgotten in the spring and summer months.

"I say don't just come when it feels good," Knapp said. "Children need to eat 365 days a year."

Knapp said his group adds three or four agencies to its services every quarter, has never had a waiting list and would never deny a legitimate agency.

The Foodbank of Southern California receives semitrailer loads of produce and fresh food daily, which Knapp says is turned around immediately and sent out.

"We get more produce than any other food bank," Knapp said.

The Foodbank estimates that 68 percent of its food goes to children, with seniors receiving 19 percent and adults 13 percent.

Food Finders also services charities in the Long Beach and Orange County area, albeit on a smaller scale.

The food rescue program collects food donated from hundreds of grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants and produce markets and distributes it regularly to about 200 agencies. The organization estimates it provides enough food for 39,000 meals a day.

Food Finders also partners with other organizations for special events. This year, in tandem with the Basket Brigade, Food Finders expects to pass out 2,000 complete turkey dinners for Thanksgiving alone.